spoowhisperer

Man, it really is a pain to come across trash strewn about isn't it. My big boy Luke has his sneaky routine of waiting to visit a can or two when we are watching movies downstairs, it's the only time he does it. Thought I'd solved it by buying cans with covers, you have to step on a pedal to open the lid, but no, he manages to lift it somehow with is nose!
So, being I don't want to have to worry about Luke resisting Q tips or other weird or dangerous stuff, its simply out of his reach period! I know its too hard for him to resist, so I'm creating a situation where he cannot fail, and I don't have to be frustrated at him for doing bad stuff. I'd love to think Luke would know better but he doesn't. He sure does know how to be sneaky though!!!

pudel luv

HSP ... we've had good results with the metal step-on lidded trash cans. Even if your poo figures out how to step on the pedal to open the lid, he'll likely get a pop to the head once he lets go . I've also found them from small to large quite inexpensively at HomeGoods, TJMaxx, KMart and Target. They are great in the kitchen and bathroom. The cayenne pepper could potentially cause an allergic reaction or damage to the fragile membranes of the nose ... ouch ! Hope you find a sure proof solution. Keep us updated.

partial2poodles

I have 7 dumpster divers...so I keep a little wastebasket under the bathroom vanity behind a door. The tall kitchen wastebasket had a custom built cabinet that is as tall as our refrigerator and has a door that matches the other cupboards. It took some plywood, 2 hinges and 2 small shelves on the inside and the entire bottom was made just wide and high enough to hold an average kitchen plastic wastebasket. We also put a little eye-bolt latch on it. It saves so much clean-up. I remember the days of coffee filters dragged throughout the house along with McDonald bags, snot rags and bloody meat styrofoam trays. Any thing that does not get thrown away properly is fair game for the poodles....its my husband that leaves an ice cream container on the kitchen counter for someone to steal and shred...not me!

frostfirestandards

My mom has a really really bad food thief/counter surfer/dumpster diver. She puts the trash can on the counter, or behind a cupboard door, and all food (especially bread, Molly's favorite) either in the fridge or microwave or oven.


Kaden and Willow's breeder has a cool trash can in her RV with a motion sensor lid. When I asked her why she had one like that, she said that because it opens by itself, it kinda freaks the dogs out and they don't go near it LOL

passion4poodles

Leave it to Mo!!! LMAO!

frostfirestandards

I have to admit, it scared me too, It just popped open all freaky like MAGIC

puppylove

Jackson (who's very tall) accidently opened one at my friends house and it scared the heck out him! Now he tries to sneak by it as quickly as he can.

Searcher

We used 2 carbiners (you can use more that 2) together to attach to the handles of the cabinets & that keeps the cabinets from being able be opened. The are metal so she can't chew thru them. It was just the cost of the carbiners (they aren't that expensive & she can't open the doors to get into the trash -- it prevents the problem from even developing.

Desiree

I just bought a black plastic step, locking kitchen garbage can made a simple human at Bed Bath and Beyond a few months ago. I believe if was $50. It looks good and works great! It might be on sale by now.

To answer you question: It's FUN to tear things up. My dogs are fed raw and my boy loves to stand on his bones and pull the meat off in long strands. Guess who also likes to raid the garbage can. Good Luck!

cbrand

You have gotten some good advice:

Get trash cans with lids.
Put trash under sinks or in cabinets where the dog can't get them.
Use bitter apple or hot pepper sauce to deter the dog.

I have to disagree with folks who say that dogs don't feel guilt. I absolutely think Poodles do. Maybe they are a higher form of dog, but I know for a fact that my dogs know that they have done something wrong. Sometimes they just choose to do it.... owner be damned. I think it is totally appropriate to show a dog the dumped trash can and tell them in no uncertain terms that they have done a bad thing.

There is a whole new movement in dogs where owners seem afraid to tell their dogs NO or to punish their dogs for bad behavior. I feel like when I go out in public I am surrounded by dogs who are calling the shots for themselves and their owners. I don't think this is a good thing.

As far as relationship, I reprimand my dogs and my dogs still positively worship me. They are happy and outgoing and they love their work. Don't be afraid to get after your dog for bad behavior.